On The Gist, Slate editors and special guest Brooke Gladstone from NPR’s On the Media debate American icons from the Smithsonian Summer Showdown contest. Slate’s Culture Editor Dan Kois speaks on behalf of Bao Bao, Slate’s Deputy Editor John Swansburg argues for the Star-Spangled Banner, Slate’s editor–in-chief Julia Turner makes the case for “This Land Is Your Land” by Woody Guthrie, and NPR’s Brooke Gladstone defends the George Washington Lansdowne portrait. For the Speil, Mike discusses the many forms of useless stats we hear all the time.

Also, we’d like to welcome new listeners who discovered the show on This American Life this weekend. We’re glad you’re here.

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